The South African Plant Improvement Organisation (SAPO) hosted an information day in Ceres in the Western Cape in late April to formally introduce producers to SQ 159. This is a deep-red, bicoloured apple variety that trades under the name Magic Star, and Natyra Bio when produced organically.
The variety, belonging to Fresh Forward in the Netherlands, was developed out of a cross between Elise and an unnamed scab-resistant cultivar, and is said to produce crispy, juicy apples with a sweet taste and aroma, and between 75% and 90% blush. It also has a long shelf life: the fruit can be stored for four to six months under normal atmospheric conditions and 10 to 12 months or even
